Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 10) — Waze users all over the country can now be the next voice of the navigation application thanks to a new feature that allows them to record their own voices and use them as instructions.
In an interview on CNN Philippines’ New Day, Waze Asia Pacific Regional Lead Mona Weng announced the company will now let Filipino users customize their Waze experience with their own recorded prompts so they can personalize their driving experience.
“While Waze is looking for its first official voice, we actually want everyone to be able to join in on the fun. What I mean by that is now anyone… can actually record their voice on Waze today, so the next voice of Waze globally is actually all of you,” Weng told CNN Philippines.
Prior to the announcement of this new feature, Waze also said it would launch a navigation voice in Filipino to help drivers cope with the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, which prohibits them from holding their electronic devices while on the road.
READ: Waze to launch Filipino navigation voice
The feature will be available for Android and Apple users.
Weng said Wazers can record instructions in any language or style, provided that the prompts are not distracting and the instructions are correct.
“You can say for turn left, you can put your own twist, you can speak in your own language, have your own style. The only thing is safety is our number one priority, so we do ask that the instructions are correct,” Weng said.
She added, prompts which are distracting and use political propaganda and inappropriate words are not allowed.
Weng said Waze hopes the new feature will lighten the mood and ease stress for drivers stuck in traffic.
“We want it to be a fun, safe, efficient and increasingly personal drive for you. And we understand that traffic sucks for everyone so we’re just trying to do our part to make it more fun.” she said.
Waze is also working on a feature that will allow users to share their voice prompts with others.
“You’re actually gonna be able to share the voices soon… followers, fans, they can easily add your voice to their Waze and drive with your voice navigating them around the Philippines,” Weng said.
